Upper School
Ski to a Forest Service Lookout!
Unforgettable views of Mount Hood from a Forest Service Lookout. Join us for a wonderful winter trip that will allow you to actually sleep in a Forest Serivce lookout- thirty feet above the surrounding landscape. This trip will involve a 70 mile drive up to a sno-park near Clear Lake southeast of Mt. Hood. Here the group will put on its cross country skis (which we will stop and rent in Sandy) and ski on Forest Service roads for about four miles to the lookout. Most of our time after that will be spent frolicking in the snow, practicing skiing, and hanging out in the lookout. Students will cook dinner and breakfast for the group, and sleep in the lookout. Card games will be played.
Students do not need to be experienced cross country skers, but definitely should be comfortable being in the snow and in cold environments. We will rent ski gear on the way, which is included in the price of the trip. There is a nice warming fire in the lookout, though once the fire goes out at night, it will be chilly.
The trip is open to Upper Schoolers.
The cost for the trip is $65 and includes food (except a sack lunch on Saturday), skis, boots, poles, and lodging.
To sign up, send an email to Greenp@catlin.edu
Ski to a Forest Service Lookout!
Unforgettable views of Mount Hood from a Forest Service Lookout. Join us for a wonderful winter trip that will allow you to actually sleep in a Forest Serivce lookout- thirty feet above the surrounding landscape. This trip will involve a 70 mile drive up to a sno-park near Clear Lake southeast of Mt. Hood. Here the group will put on its cross country skis (which we will stop and rent in Sandy) and ski on Forest Service roads for about four miles to the lookout. Most of our time after that will be spent frolicking in the snow, practicing skiing, and hanging out in the lookout. Students will cook dinner and breakfast for the group, and sleep in the lookout. Card games will be played.
Students do not need to be experienced cross country skers, but definitely should be comfortable being in the snow and in cold environments. We will rent ski gear on the way, which is included in the price of the trip. There is a nice warming fire in the lookout, though once the fire goes out at night, it will be chilly.
The trip is open to Upper Schoolers.
The cost for the trip is $70 and includes food (except a sack lunch on saturday), skis, boots, poles, and lodging.
To sign up, send an email to Greenp@catlin.edu
Rafting the Deschutes River
This is the classic river trip in Northern Oregon. We'll spend three full days rafting down this mystical desert river. The group will paddle the boats through rapids ranging from Class 1 to Class 4. Each raft will have an experienced adult leader in the boat.
The plan is to board the big yellow school bus and head east onto the Warm Springs Indian Reservation on Friday the 14th (no school that day). Once there we will load up our fine crafts with gear and begin the float downstream. The first day is fairly mellow, and we'll camp under the stars after preparing a delightful, filling and nutritious meal. After dinner we'll often hike up the nearby hills or explore along the riverbank and railroad tracks.
The second day presents us with the challenge of WhiteHorse rapids. We will scout this challenging stretch of the river before attempting its class 3 waters. That night we will camp once agian along the shore of the fabled Deschutes. The final day is a continuous series of challenging class 3 or 4 rapids involving a lot of splashing, screaming and piratical oaths. We hope to be back at school about 5:30 pm on Sunday afternoon.
Students must be comfortable in water situations and willing to help paddle the raft during the three day trip. No previous rafting experience is necessary.
The trip is open to current Upper School students.
The cost of the trip is $155.
To sign up, visit the Outdoor Program Office, or send an email to Greenp@catlin.edu.
Owyhee Canyon Exploration
Come with us to explore this little visited corner of Oregon. We will head to the southeatern corner of Oregon and explore the canyons of the Owyhee and Litle Owyhee Rivers. This trip will feature true exploration - we will travel off trail most of the day, camp under the stars at night and cook meals for ourselves. Students should be in good physical condition and comfortable being in the outdoors. Expertise in outdoor skills is not required, though students will learn a LOT of skills on the trip.
The cost of the trip is $60.
Trip leaders are Peter Green and David Zonana.
The trip is open to Upper School students.
Biking along the Deschutes River
As part of our fall celebration of the glories of being outside with your friends, we are offering a one-day bike excursion along the Deschutes River. The route takes us through breathtaking high desert scenery, past the towns of Tygh Valley and Maupin, down through the White River Canyon and then along the mighty Deschutes River. Students should have their own bicycle but do not need to be expert riders. The route is about 3/4 downhill, mixed in with a few short uphill secitions.
The trip leaders are Peter Green and George Zaninovich.
To sign up send an email to Greenp@catlin.edu
The cost of the trip is $30 and is open to Upper School students.
Climb of Mount Adams
Join us for an attempt on the second-highest peak in the Northwest! We will drive up to the Cold Springs camp on Saturday afternoon and make the short hike up to the Round the Mountain trail, where we will set up camp. Early on Sunday morning we will set out to climb the 12,200-foot peak. The route is long but not technically challenging. Students should be in excellent physical condition, but don't need to be experienced mountaineers. Students should be experienced and comfortable with back country travel and camping.
To sign up, contact greenp@catlin.edu
The trip is open to Upper School students.
The cost of the trip is $65.
Canyoneering in the Oregon Cascades
Four years ago, a Catlin Outdoor Program trip completed the first known descent of the Elkhorn Creek drainage. This beautiful creek bed has never been logged and exhibits the lush, Pacific Northwest landscape at its finest. This two-day trip will be an attempt to repeat the descent of this little-known creek! You can find the link to a trip report about the Elkhorn descent here: http://www.catlin.edu/news/outdoor-program/1450.html.
There is no experience necessary, and you do not need to be an athlete to complete this trip. You do need to be in good physical condition and willing to work hard in a group setting.
The estimated cost of this trip is $50, and will cover permits, transportation, instruction, and food. You can sign up by sending an email to David Zonana at zonanad@Catlin.edu.
Trip leaders will be David Zonana and George Keepers.
Eagle Creek Backpack Trip for OLA
Each fall the after school outdoor program (OLA) has a weekend trip that provides students with a wonderful, low key outdoor experience. This year we will travel to the magnificant Eagle Creek canyon in the Columbia River Gorge. It will be a backpacking trip, designed for students new to the sport. We will hike, swim and explore along the reaches of this spectacular waterway. Friday afternoon we will leave campus just after lunch and drive about two hours to Wahtum Lake, south of Hood River. The group will make the short hike in to the lake and set up camp there. Saturday will see us hike (all downhill) to Wy'east Camp along the river. The group will spend the rest of the day swimming, jumping, and exploring. On Sunday we will make the four mile (all downhill) hike out to the trailhead along the Columbia Goirge Highway, where the bus will meet us and take us back to the school by about 5:00.
This trip is required for OLA participants, and is included in the cost of the course.
Trip leaders are Peter Green and David Zonana.
Climbing at Smth Rock!
Start off your school year on the right foot! Challenge yourself with something new. Join us for a two day rock climbing trip to Smith Rock State Park in central Oregon. No previous climbing experience is necessary. Beginners will learn the basics of rock climbing while more experienced students will try their hands on challenging climbs. By the second day everyone will be mixed together into fun groups ready to try all sorts of fun and interesting climbs.
On this trip we will spend most of Saturday and Sunday climbing, and will sleep in tents or under the stars on Saturday night. We will dine indoors at a local restaurant that evening, and prepare breakfast at camp on Sunday.
This trip will be led by Peter Green and Chris Potts. Yes, Chris Potts.
The trip is open to Upper Schoolers, and to Middle Schoolers upon approval.
The cost of the trip will be $45.
To sign up, email greenp@catlin.edu
Oregon Cascade Mountains "Lite"
Feeling overwhelmed by homework and projects already? Afraid to commit to fun weekend events because you are worried you'll fall behind before the year even starts? Want to get all that reading done in a REALLY beautiful setting?
Join us on this mellow fall trip, designed to take advantage of the opportunity to relax outdoors in the gorgeous autumn weather of the Pacific Northwest.
We will leave school Saturday morning and do a 6-7 mile hike along the banks of the Clackamas River, in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. We will then set up camp at a lush, green campground near the trailhead, making sure we have plenty of comfortable hammocks and mossy spots to sit and relax. Students will have several hours of warm daylight to read and complete assignments on Saturday afternoon, as well as Sunday morning, while sipping tea and hot chocolate. We will return to campus late afternoon on Sunday.
This trip is open to all Upper School students. No experience or special gear is necessary.
Cost of this trip is $85, which covers most food, transportation, permits/fees, and leadership. Financial aid is available.
Trip Leader: Erin Goodling. Email David at zonanad@catlin.edu or Peter at greenp@catlin.edu to sign up.
Surfin' SW Washington
Catching some mellow fall waves will be the perfect antidote to all that beginning-of-the-school year stress! We will head to Long Beach on Saturday morning, learn the basics from Jules and Skookum Surf Company, and hit the water for a few hours before grubbing on delicious food and camping under the stars at Cape Disappointment State Park.
Veteran and total beginner surfers alike are welcome!
Sunday, we'll return to the ocean for one last session before heading back to campus.
Trip Leader: Erin Goodling
Cost of Trip: $140, which covers most food, transportation, surf rental and instruction, and permits/fees. Financial aid is available.
Open to students in the Upper School. Email David at zonanad@catlin.edu or Peter at greenp@catlin.edu to sign up.
Mountain Biking along the Mckenzie River
Join a group of fun loving Catlin Gabel students for this mountain biking trip along one of Oregon's premier waterways- the Mckenzie River, east of Eugene. We'll drive south from Portland and settle in at a cozy cabin nestled near the river. From here we'll jump on our bikes and explore the roads and trails of the surrounding Cascade Mountains. At night we'll cook a fine dinner and play games in the cabin. Sunday will see us on our bikes again climbing and descending trails through the wonderful old growth forests.
This trip is open to Upper School students. Chris Bagg will be your leader.
The cost of the trip is $65.
To sign up, send an email to Zonanad@catlin.edu
Upper School Mt. Adams Road Biking and Service
Bike and service in the midst of Mt. Adams amongst massive stands of Douglas Fir
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The Gifford Pinchot National Forest contains some of the tallest stands of Douglas Fir trees in the world. This trip will provide us with an up-close perspective of these giants from the roads below. Saturday, we will load our bikes into a trailer and head North across the mighty Columbia. Once deep into the forests of the foothills of Mt. Adams, we will get out of the bus and hop on our bikes for a ride through this beautiful region. After a day of riding we will head to our campsite for the evening to cook and set up up our tents. On Sunday, we will get back on our bikes and ride to a site where we will participate in some habitat restoration work with a local non-profit organization.
There is no experience necessary, and you do not need to be an athlete to complete this ride. You do need to be in good physical condition and willing to work hard in a group setting.
The cost of this trip is $55. This fee covers permits, transportation, instruction, and most food. This trip is open to all upper school students. You can sign up by sending an email to Erin Goodling (goodlinge@catlin.edu) to sign up.
Day Hike on Beautiful Dog Mountain
Dog Mountain is the gem of the Columbia Gorge. In the spring hikers will find this moderately difficult hike covered with an unparalleled show of wildflowers in bloom. Our little group from Catlin Gabel will meet at the school on Saturday morning and drive out to the trailhead. We'll grab our day packs and water bottles and hike up to the top- where the views up and down the gorge are unbelievable.
This trip is open to Upper Schoolers and Middle Schoolers.
The trip is FREE.
To sign up, send an email to zonanad@catlin.edu
Surfing up the Oregon Coast
Always wanted to try out surfing? Here's your chance! Join us for a weekend on the Oregon Coast-- we'll head down on Saturday morning and meet up with our surfing instructors near Short Sands beach. We'll get some lessons, practice on the beach and then paddle out to try to catch some waves. That evening we'll camp in a nearby state park. On Sunday we'll bust out the boards again and catch some more waves.
This trip is open to Upper School students. No experience necessary, but students should be in good physical condition. Erin Goodling will lead the trip.
The cost of the trip is $125. Financial aid is available.
To sign up send an email to goodlinge@catlin.edu
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